The federal government has announced funding of up to $10 million over five years to establish a Cyber Attribution Data Centre (CADC) at the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity (CIC) at the University of New Brunswick (UNB).
Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, announced the centre’s role in strengthening Canada’s cybersecurity resilience. The CADC will focus on identifying malicious cyber actors through data collection and advanced cyber attribution analytics while training a new generation of cybersecurity specialists equipped with artificial intelligence tools.
“Over the last decade, New Brunswick has carved out a place for itself as a leader in cybersecurity, and that’s due in no small part to the work happening at the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity,” said Minister LeBlanc. “Through its innovative and collaborative approach, UNB’s Cyber Attribution Data Centre will make Canada more resilient against cybercrime and spur the development of skills and innovation required to defend critical government and private sector systems from evolving cyber threats.”
The Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity at UNB is a multidisciplinary hub for training, research, and technology development. It combines expertise from various fields, including computer science, engineering, law, and business, to address complex cybersecurity challenges. The new Cyber Attribution Data Centre will leverage this collaborative approach to develop tools for identifying cyber threats and improving national security.
Paul Mazerolle, president and vice-chancellor of UNB, underscored the significance of the investment for both the university and Canada. “This centre will help provide comprehensive training for the next generation of professionals in the field and strengthen our ability to detect and attribute cyber threats. This exciting development also positions New Brunswick and Canada at the forefront of global efforts to build a safer, more secure digital future for our communities,” Mazerolle said.
Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, praised the province’s role, stating, “New Brunswick is leading the way in cybersecurity. With smart investments, your federal government is building up Canada’s capacity with stronger tools and better training to keep people and businesses safe from online threats and scams.”
The CADC will collect data from diverse sources, apply cyber attribution intelligence, and foster talent development in AI-powered cybersecurity. Positioned within the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity, the new centre aims to enhance collaboration between academia, government, and industry to tackle evolving cyber threats.